Piaggio Ape Reliability, MOT Pass Rate & Common Faults
Free Piaggio Ape car check
Is the Piaggio Ape reliable? We analysed 2,219 real MOT tests across 561 vehicles to find out.
Got a specific Piaggio Ape? Enter the reg for a free check:
The Piaggio Ape is above average for reliability based on real UK MOT data. Common problems include windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid, headlamp not working on dipped beam and registration plate lamp not fitted. Here's everything you need to know before buying a used Piaggio Ape.
Piaggio Ape Number Plates
Number plates registered to a Piaggio Ape. Click on any registration for full vehicle details — including MOT history, mileage records, previous owners and damage history.
Piaggio Ape MOT Pass Rate by Year
How likely is a Piaggio Ape to pass its MOT? Here's the pass rate for each registration year, newest first.
Piaggio Ape Problems — What Goes Wrong?
The most common reasons a Piaggio Ape fails its MOT, ranked by how often they occur. Check for these problems before you buy.
Piaggio Ape Common Faults & Problems
These are the most common serious faults found on Piaggio Ape models during MOT testing — flagged as dangerous or major failures that need immediate attention.
Piaggio Ape Mileage — What's Normal?
How many miles does a typical Piaggio Ape owner drive per year? Use this to check if a car you're looking at has suspiciously low or high mileage.
Piaggio Ape MOT Data by Registration Year
Full breakdown of pass rate and mileage for each year. Use this to compare the Piaggio Ape year you're looking at.
| Year | Tests | Pass Rate | Low Mi. | Typical Mi. | High Mi. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 | 64 | 89.1% | 209 | 1,020 | 4,452 |
| 2018 | 140 | 82.9% | 1,012 | 4,288 | 14,603 |
| 2017 | 139 | 82.0% | 424 | 1,346 | 4,039 |
| 2016 | 132 | 87.9% | 636 | 1,466 | 4,052 |
| 2015 | 240 | 83.8% | 816 | 2,370 | 5,650 |
| 2014 | 142 | 83.1% | 785 | 1,626 | 5,374 |
| 2013 | 122 | 77.0% | 468 | 884 | 2,793 |
| 2012 | 50 | 92.0% | 481 | 2,088 | 7,110 |
| 2011 | 59 | 78.0% | 1,781 | 7,958 | 15,971 |
| 2008 | 100 | 72.0% | 1,570 | 4,256 | 7,126 |
| 2007 | 128 | 77.3% | 1,094 | 3,030 | 11,089 |
| 2006 | 150 | 84.7% | 1,710 | 3,198 | 5,619 |
| 2005 | 54 | 85.2% | 1,784 | 4,470 | 8,925 |
| 2001 | 128 | 78.1% | 1,438 | 2,045 | 4,930 |
| 2000 | 70 | 80.0% | 1,735 | 5,860 | 8,540 |
| 1999 | 68 | 70.6% | 2,779 | 9,958 | 18,738 |
How Long Does a Piaggio Ape Last?
Based on 561 Piaggio Ape vehicles on UK roads.
Piaggio Ape Mileage Distribution
Total mileage recorded across all Piaggio Ape MOT tests. If the car you're looking at is above the 75th percentile, it's done more miles than most.
Best Year to Buy a Used Piaggio Ape
Based on MOT pass rates across all registration years with sufficient test data.
92.0% MOT pass rate from 50 tests
70.6% MOT pass rate from 68 tests
The best year to buy a used Piaggio Ape is 2012, which has the highest MOT pass rate at 92.0% across 50 tests. The 1999 model year has the lowest pass rate at 70.6% — if you're looking at one from that year, budget for potential repairs and get a thorough pre-purchase inspection.
How Does the Piaggio Ape Compare?
MOT pass rates compared to similar models. Click any model for the full breakdown.
| Model | Pass Rate | Tests | Typical Mileage | Lifespan |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Piaggio Ape THIS CAR | 81.0% | 2,219 | 2,760 mi | 27 yrs |
| Piaggio Vespa | 83.8% | 355,016 | 10,772 mi | 30 yrs |
| Piaggio Zip | 77% | 101,622 | 9,391 mi | 29 yrs |
| Piaggio Nrg | 72.9% | 52,129 | 10,153 mi | 27 yrs |
| Bentley R Type | 90.9% | 987 | 50,475 mi | 74 yrs |
Compared to the Piaggio Vespa (83.8% pass rate) and the Piaggio Zip (77.0% pass rate), the Piaggio Ape sits in the middle of the pack on MOT reliability.
Found a Piaggio Ape you like?
Run a full vehicle history check on the specific car. See finance, stolen, write-off, mileage and MOT data for that exact vehicle.
Check a specific Piaggio ApeShould you buy a used Piaggio Ape?
The Piaggio Ape has an overall MOT pass rate of 81.0% across 2,219 real MOT tests — comfortably above the UK average, which puts it among the more reliable models on UK roads.
The most common problems on the Piaggio Ape are windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid (22 recorded failures), headlamp not working on dipped beam (17), and registration plate lamp not fitted (16). These are the faults most likely to cause an MOT failure on this model, so check for them carefully on any test drive or pre-purchase inspection. Many are wear-and-tear items that can be budgeted for, but a car that's already failing on multiple fronts may signal neglected maintenance.
On the safety side, the most frequently flagged dangerous fault is parking brake efficiency less than 50% of the required value. Dangerous faults cause an immediate MOT failure and mean the vehicle is not roadworthy until repaired. If you're viewing a Piaggio Ape with an expired or recently passed MOT, ask the seller whether any dangerous faults were found and fixed during the last test.
A typical Piaggio Ape owner drives around 214 miles per year. If the car you're looking at is significantly above this, expect more wear on suspension, brakes and tyres. If it's well below, the vehicle may have been sitting unused — check for perished rubber, corroded discs and stale fluids.
In terms of longevity, most Piaggio Ape models stay on UK roads for around 27 years — a strong showing that suggests solid build quality and readily available parts. If you're buying one that's already approaching that window, the data suggests it has plenty of life left provided it's been maintained.
Before committing to a purchase, we recommend running a full vehicle history check on the specific car. This will reveal any outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies that the seller may not disclose — and that the MOT data alone can't tell you.